John Bulling Yates FIET, March 1925 – January 2021
Published: Thu 11 Mar 2021
IET Fellow John Bulling Yates passed away in January 2021 at the age of 95 in Guildford.
With over 30 years’ service with the Electricity Supply Industry, he made a significant contribution to both the UK's and Europe’s power generating capacity.
He was elected Fellow of the IET in 1983.
After winning a gold medal at Electrical Engineering College, his career started with work on steam turbines in 1947.
But it is his time with the Central Electricity Generating Board, where he made his greatest contribution.
John was the project manager of the £700 million cross-channel links, which at the time was the world’s biggest underwater power scheme.
This project required innovative technologies including eight 50 Km high-voltage power cables as well as sub-marine digging machines to bury the cables on the seafloor.
The ‘French Connection’ was completed in 1986, linking up the UK and French electrical systems, enabling both countries to better manage surges in power demand.
Once retired from the CEGB, he undertook a number of consulting assignments including support for an underwater power scheme between Java and Bali.
John was married to his wife Eva who passed away in 1991.
During their 15 happy years of marriage enjoyed a lot of travel both in Europe and the United States.
After he retired, he remained very active and led walks and hosted social events with the Guildford Ramblers.
Despite his considerable achievements, John was a very modest and man and will be remembered fondly by his brother Andrew and his nephew, and niece and families.